Illuminating the Path to Liberation: Selections of Tibetan Buddhism Texts by the Venerated Mipham Rinpoche (vegetarian), Part 1 of 2

Born in the region of Derge in Eastern Tibet in 1846, the Venerated Master Mipham Rinpoche (vegetarian) was identified as an extraordinary child. It is said that he fully mastered the extremely difficult Mindrolling system of chanting at the age of 15 or 16, after studying it for only a few days and praying to the Worshipped Manjushri Bodhisattva (vegan). Today, it is an honor to present some of the wise Master’s texts on how we can enter the path towards eternal liberation.

“All activities within saṃsāra (the cycle of birth, death and rebirth) are pointless and hollow— Unreliable and fleeting, like lightning’s streaking dance, And there is no certainty as to when death will strike. Still, since death is certain, limit idle plans and speculations, Allow the teacher’s instructions to hit home and strike a chord, And, single-pointedly, in solitude, seek perfect certainty of mind.”

“The freedoms and endowments are difficult to find, like the uḍumbara flower, And, when secured, are of immense significance — greater even than a wish-granting jewel. Yet now that we have this unique opportunity, We fail to accomplish what is of long-term value And instead waste our time in frivolous pursuits — O guru, embodiment of the Three Jewels, look upon us with compassion! Grant your blessings and inspire us to make the most of the freedoms and endowments!”

“We face so many sufferings that are difficult to endure, And apparent pleasures deceive us with their transience. All defiled aggregates are but the cause of suffering. saṃsāra’s (the cycle of birth, death and rebirth) three realms are just like a pit of flames, Yet in our failure to understand this, we remain attached.”

“Just as the victorious buddhas and their heirs throughout past, present and future Generate the intention to attain supreme awakening, Now I too set my mind upon supreme and unsurpassed enlightenment, So that I may liberate all beings who extend throughout the whole of space.”

“Within the dharmakāya pure realm, the dharmadhātu expanse of equality, Are the self-appearing, unending sambhogakāya realms of the five families, And an array of nirmāṇakāya realms pervading the whole of space— All this I offer as the delightful offering clouds of Samantabhadra!”